‘Starflower’ (c.1967). The most iconic design in the collection and available in 5 colourways – have a look at ‘Platinum’ for a much more subtle treatment of this nostalgic floral pattern.

Starflower - Above left: Original document (1967), centre & right: Starflower 'Original'

‘Lavaliers’ (c. 1975). A bold, geometric motif, the original paper was embossed and one of the five colourways in the collection authentically recreates it with the same print technique.

Lavaliers - Above left: Original document (1975), centre & right: Lavaliers 'Atomic'

‘Reverie’ (c.1971). Found in a wallpaper book from the 1970s, this design was clearly inspired by the artist Henri Rousseau.

Reverie - Above left: Original document (1971) and 'The Dream' by Henri Rousseau (1910), centre & right: Reverie 'Jungle'

‘Bark’ (c.1961). From the archives at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery, this design has changed very little from the original. Two of the five colourways include a mica finish (a subtle, sparkly quality) which adds something new.

Bark - Above left: Original document (1961), centre & right: Bark 'Heath'

“Poppy Flower’ (c.1968). A combination of two designs from the same year, one found in Belgium and the other at the Whitworth Art Gallery, this design has been created in three softer colourways.

Poppy Flower - above left: Original documents (1968), centre & right: Poppy Flower 'Glacier'

‘Fern’ (c.1960). A stunning two-colour pattern that would originally have been screen-printed. If you’re looking for a punchy wallpaper, have a look at some of the other fabulous colourways in this design.

Fern - Above left: Original ferns used for this design, centre & right: Fern 'Off Black' & Fern 'Yellow'

‘Hepworth’ (c.1973). The original pattern was quite cramped so we maintained the elements of this design but gave them more room to breathe – a lovely informal paper for almost any room in the house.

Hepworth - Above left: Original document (1973), centre & right: Hepworth 'Menthe'

‘Box’ (c.1962). Another pattern that required very little work, this paper is available in four colourways, with variations in print technique to affect the way the design behaves in changing light conditions.

Box - Above left: Original document (1962), centre & right: Box 'Lime'

Little Greene picked up the top Gold Award in the Northern Design Awards.

All eight 1950s designs in this collection are taken from originals found in the archive of The Whitworth Art Gallery, just a couple of miles from us here in Manchester, so a truly successful collaboration to celebrate design in the north west.

The Northern Design Awards bring together designers, retailers and property developers in a glittering celebration of Northern design and style. We are delighted that our 50s Line Papers are shortlisted in the ‘Best Wallpaper Collection’ category.

Described as part colour card, part social history, our new collection of authentic 1960s and 1970s colours ‘Retrospectives’ has been launched with a colourful bang this weekend in London.

Lots of interest, one enormous telephone, plenty of smiles, a bright red soldier, gallons of enthusiasm and let’s not forget the pink spacehopper, purple hairdryer and signature orange submarine (yellow would have been too obvious!).

Award Winner!

And we’re delighted to announce the show organisers have awarded us ‘Best Small Stand’ at Ideal Home Show 2011. If you haven’t been yet, come and find us in Earls Court at stand 1K88, on Prince’s Avenue.

You can see what they’ve said about us and our involvement here; and while you’re there, it would be lovely if you could donate.

We’ve been working on this project with The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment for some time, following an association with the Foundation and the development of the Natural House at the Building Research Establishment near Watford. This association is a source of considerable pride as well as much inspiration for us.

The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment is an educational charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, aimed at establishing sustainable, responsible construction methods for the planning, designing and building of community housing, thereby improving the quality of people’s lives.

The Foundation’s partnership with the Ideal Home Show is primarily aimed at helping Britain promote such methodologies and build good neighbourhoods and communities. Over the course of the next five years it intends to demonstrate to the public how to build for the future, in a way which is both sustainable and beautiful, creating in the process safe, pleasant and convenient houses with adjacent shops, schools and play areas.

Our environmentally-friendly water-based paints have been specified throughout the interior of The Prince’s Foundation Natural House, in a selection of evocatively (and appropriately) named shades such as Salix, Celestial Blue, Acre, Linen Wash and Clay Mid.

We are passionately committed to acting positively and responsibly in order to minimise the ecological impact of its manufacturing and distribution process. All of our paints are manufactured in our own Manchester based factory using only the finest organic, natural and safe-synthetic pigments.

All ingredients are personally sourced from suppliers who can match our commitment to local industry and the environment, and the we’re dedicated to minimising pollution by cutting energy and fuel consumption. All our paints meet EU regulations, which are the strictest in the world.

Our water-based paints, which have been used in The Prince’s Foundation Natural House, are quick drying, virtually odourless and brushes can be safely washed in tap water after use. The paints contain less than 0.1% VOCs.

We use 56% recycled steel in its paint cans and, once empty, these can easily be recycled in turn.

Visit The Prince’s Foundation Natural House and discover more about the project in
Prince’s Avenue, Stand 1K 88 at the Ideal Home Show, Earls Court, 11 – 27 March 2011.

Home and Antiques Magazine

Thrifty Chic

More Thrify Chic

As you can see the featured wallpaper is from our London Wallpapers range and is the Craven Street wallpaper in “Country” colour.

Craven Street, Country

If you just love valentines day, romance doesn’t need to be confined to one day per year. Create a lasting effect by decorating your bedroom in a romantic style. Paint your walls in a lovely Shrimp Pink colour and maybe add some contrast with our wonderful 50′s Magnolia paint.  Add to the fantastic look created by your new paint colours by accessorising with delicate silk cushions, bedding and that old favourite – candles.

We’ve picked a couple of our favourite examples here:

10 Bouquet Bonbon

Shades of white - Wall and Shutters: Tracery 11 Floor: Normandy Grey 79 Table: Salix 99

Living Room With Ornate Mirror - Main wall: French Grey Dark 163 Panelling: French Grey 113 Fireplace: French Grey Pale 161

Decorative corner- Front wall, panelling and moulding details: Adventurer 7

Bathroom with traditional bath - Main Wall: Rolling Fog Dark 160 Bath: Rolling Fog 163 Panelling: Rolling Fog Pale 158

Bedroom with wooden floors - Wallpaper: Bedford Square ECRU Main wall: Portland Stone Pale 155 Side table and fireplace: Portland Stone Dark 157 Peg rail: Portland Stone Deep 156

Kitchen in pale green - Main wall: Pearl Colour Dark 169 Window seat, back door and kitchen unit: Pearl Colour 100 Table and bench: Pearl Colour Pale 167

Moulin Noir coffee table from Lover's lounge

Kinky Boudoir Louis from Ultimate Louis

Swallows in Love Cushion from Megan Quinton

Blackboard Heart Name Place Holders from Nordic House

It’s packed with really useful information about the company and its comprehensive range of eco-friendly paints and wallpapers. You can use it as a reference tool, to decide which finish to use, to calculate paint requirements and to find out more about Little Greene’s ethos and green credentials.

All the wallpapers – including the latest collection of 50s Line Papers – are shown as flat shots as well as in lifestyle settings, and there’s a wide selection of aspirational paint images to choose from as well.

It’s available here to download in PDF format.

We hope you like it!